---17---

AUSTIN:

"What the hell you called me here for?!" I barked at Jake who was grinning at me, showing all his teeth.

"You're gonna race."

"I don't wanna."

"Yo man! You freakin' love this stuff!" he clapped his hand behind my back.

"I do. But I'm not feelin' it right now." I turned back to leave but Jake swirled me around. "Seriously man I'm tired!" I back a little but Jake gripped my collar, shirking me towards him.

He hit his forehead to mine. "You aint goin' anywhere, you got it!?" he hissed. "I've got ma money on you. So you win this for me-"

"Jake I don't this anymore!" I shouted.

"Yo pretty boy! I don't take no as answers. You get you're ass in there and double my money. You got it!?"

"What do I get?" I stared back in his dead black eyes.

He laughed, pushing me away. He swirled his arm around my shoulder and started walking. "You get glory Aus. I know you wanna win you're soccer match badly. You win me this... you have your match."

Damn it! I wasn't ready for this!

I had no idea Jake would call me for this!

"Here's your baby." Jake pointed to a Porsche sports car. He rubbed his palm on the scratch less silver surface. His eyes sparkled as he could imagine the money he was gonna earn from me. "Porsche 918 Spyder with more than 700 horse power-"

"Don't need details! Just show me who am I to battle with?" not that I didn't like it but I just wanted this to be over with. Jake has been using me like this for a long time and I enjoyed it but tonight wasn't the right time.

"What's the hurry Tiger... your prey's right here."

I turned around and found Kyle McCartney standing behind me, grinning at me. He had his arms curled around two blonde chicks.

"This is the great Austin Blake ladies. Soccer team captain and a great racer..." He grinned. I could feel the sarcasm hitting me right on my face. "Since his coward brother ran away he's the last of Carlson or only until he marries..." He lowered his arms to the girl's hips and pushed them to me. "He's yours ladies..."

Both the blondes walked to me, and stood real close. I ignored them but one of them started trailing her finger on my chest.

"What do you say Austin? After the race at my place?" she whispered sexily in my ear.

I turned my face looking in her light blue eyes. "Get away from me you whore!" I hissed but she smiled dashingly pulling herself up, rubbing her boobs at my arm.

"I love your attitude hottie... is it the same in bed?"

I rolled my eyes at her trying to push her away but she landed her pout lips on mine. "You're good." She mumbled but I pushed her away, stepping towards Kyle who was totally enjoying my annoyance.

"Don't you like my gift Austin?"

"These bitches won't make you win. It's just me and you, Kyle." I said through my teeth.

"It always was." He smiled devilishly.

Kyle McCartney was the only person I could beat a thousand times. He was the captain of Coast Ivy's Soccer team and he was the reason I was pressurized to win the match! He and I were enemies since we were born. I'd raced with him since a long time beating his ass most of the times but just this time I felt as if I'm about to lose this.

"Who ever wins in the end... get these chicks." He pointed at the blondes.

"You can keep them!" I hissed and turned around to Jake who was setting off the race line.

"You ready boy?" he threw the keys at me.

I catch the keys, nodding, sitting in the car. Kyle settled in his car. I slipped the key in ignition and started the car, racing the engine.

Jake popped his head in through the open window. "You know what you have to do right?"

"Yeah!"

"Just concentrate-"

"Jake I know! This aint the first time I'm doin' this!"

"I'm countin' on you man." He patted his hand on my shoulder. "I've got you a little lucky charm." He grinned.

I crocked my eyebrow but before I could ask, the passenger door opened and Veronica slid in. "Hey babe..." she leaned in, giving a peck on my cheek.

"What's this?" I hissed to Jake.

He smiled. "Some advance payment..."

"Damn it Jake! It's no freakin' joke!" I turned to Veronica. "Get off V."

"What?" she made a face.

"You heard me. Get off. It's dangerous."

"It's okay babe... you know I'm use to this." She trailed her finger down my arm, looking at me sexily.

I looked in her eyes, leaning in. She smiled widely, closing in. just as our faces were an inch apart, I quickly leaned forward, pushing her at side and stretched my arm, opening her door.

She looked at me weirdly. "Out." I said seriously.

She huffed, rolling her eyes at me and got off. I pulled the door shut, settling at my place.

From the side of my eye I saw Kyle grinning. "Aye Austin!" he called. I ignored him.

"Best of luck... cleanin' the shit, 'cause I'm winning this." He laughed.

"We'll see..."

I accelerated again so I couldn't hear him. I gripped tightly on the steering. My heart was racing wildly. Jake raised his pistol and fired. I took my feet off from the brake, setting the car in motion.

My body threw back as the car took off the road, gaining speed. I changed the gear, wanting to gain speed. Kyle was a little slower behind me. The speed meter showed 180 mph.

I tried to keep my eyes on the road but it was damn hard to concentrate knowing a devil is behind me.

I pressed my foot on the accelerator again. It felt like I was flying. I quickly glanced at the speed meter which showed 198 mph. My heart raced with the same speed.

I could see Kyle gaining speed on my. He was just inches from getting ahead of me. I turned a sharp u-turn, with me still ahead of him. I glanced in the rear view mirror to watch where he was but I couldn't see him.

I think I lost him...

Maybe he lost track...

Or maybe I did!

Before I could realize it, I was already in shit! I could see blocked road just a couple of miles ahead.

"DAMN IT!" I shouted, hitting the brakes as hard as I could. But I knew I wouldn't be able to stop it, so I turned around sharply. The car skidded and I lost control badly. My head hit the handle on the top of the door making me lose control.

I shook my head, trying to remain in senses, only that every thing was spinning. Was it my head or...

Was the car spinning...

I released the brake, accelerating again. My whole body was jerked back as the car gained speed. Within a few seconds I was on the road but I didn't know where I was. I stayed on the track until I saw Kyle gaining speed on me.

How can he be behind me when I had lost the track?!

A little far away I could hear girls shouting, cheering for both of us. The finish line wasn't far. I just have to concentrate.

But I couldn't because my head was throbbing. I gritted my teeth as the pain started to gain on my consciousness.

Kyle slowed down, getting right behind me. As I glanced in the rear-view mirror, he dipper the head light, making me go blind.

I shut my eyes, losing control again. I covered my eyes with my hand, losing grip on the steering. I hit the brakes before it got dumped into something.

"Sucker!" I heard Kyle shout at me as he drove past me.

"Shit. Shit. Shit!" I punched my fist on the steering hurting myself again.

The crowd went loud just as Kyle pulled up his car to the finish line. I managed to park the car in the corner. My head was throbbing hard now. My feet hurt because of all hard pressing and my hands were sweaty.

It was already a fucking messy day and this!

I rested my head back, closing my eyes, taking in the essence of losing. Damn it Kyle!

"Yo Austin! Get the hell out here!" Jake shouted, pacing towards me. I gulped in. before I could get off he pulled the door open, and grabbed me by my collar, dragging me out.

"Jake man, take it easy!" I shouted but he wasn't listening. He banged me against the car, giving a punch on my stomach and leaned on me. His eyes were filled with anger and he was glaring on me.

"What the heck man!? You freakin' lost it all!"

"He tricked me!"

Jake pushed me against the car again, his fist landing on my chest. "I want my money back! You got it?!" he said through his teeth.

His words were piercing through my ears, beating up on my head because it was hurting bad.

"Okay. I'll give you. Just let me go now!" I said dizzily.

He let go my collar, backing a little. "I'll take your car till I get my money."

"Damn it Jake! You can't just-"

"Shut it Austin! I can beat the shit outta you right here but I won't. So just shut your mouth!" he hissed and turned to leave. "And if I don't get my money..."

"Then what huh?"

He turned to me tilting his head. "Your fiancée would do it... she's a pretty hot payment that you've got..." he smiled devilishly.

My body burned with rage. I was shivering with anger. "Aye! Don't you ever-"

"Oh I can pretty boy..." he turned and started walking.

I curled my hand in fist and ran after him, pushing him hard. But before I could strike him, he hit me in the stomach. I fell down but I quickly got up. I again raised my fist to hit on his face but his fist had already hit me in my face like a stone, making me fall down on my chest.

I shouted with pain that evolved in my head. My nose started bleeding. I tried to push myself up but Jake was on me, beating right on my face. "You Never Mess With Me!" he shouted and punched hard on my face.

Everything started spinning. Jake got up and walked away, leaving me there. I breathed heavily, pushing myself up again but before I could stand properly, me head throbbed harder, my legs wobbled and everything went dark.

PAUL:

Her body slowly became motionless as I stroked her hair lightly. Her head was on my bare chest so I tried to breath as shallow as I could so she wouldn't get up.

Her soft cheek was sending a ticklish current through me.

I stayed up long just thinking what if there was never a Karen... what if I never ran away... what if I would've agreed to get married...

Would it be Andy who I'd be getting married to?

Nah...

But I would want to... she was just perfect.

She was sensitive and soft from inside but showed here best to look tough. She was funny and caring. She was cute and just amazing!

I wonder what she thought about me.

I got startled when she moaned in her dream, curling up in a ball. I looked at the clock which clicked 4:45 am in the morning. I couldn't sleep with her with me! I should better take her to her room before Austin finds us like this.

I slowly got up, curling my one arm under her legs and one under her head. I scooped her up in my arms and slowly got off the bed. She twisted her head, burying it in my chest.

I slowly walked out of the room, pacing towards hers.

I laid her down on the bed, giving the blanket over her. She curled herself in it, muttering something in her sleep. I smiled to myself, walking back in my room.

Just as I laid down closing my eyes, drifting to sleep, my cell phone rang, startling me badly. I looked at the caller id which blinked Jake's name.

"'Sup Jake?"

"Collect yo' useless piece of shit!" he barked.

"Huh?"

"Austin! Get him before cops do!"

"What are- is he okay? Where is he?" I sat up in my bed.

"Ou' old race point! Pray he'd be alive 'cause he have to pay me big!" he hung up.

I stared at my cell phone for a long time. What the hell was he talking about? Wasn't Austin home?

I quickly got up and checked out his room but he wasn't there. Shit! He'd better be okay.

I quickly changed, and drove off. I tried to call him but he wouldn't pick up. Where the fuck is he?! After trying like a millionth time he answered.

"Austin? You there man?"

He just groaned with pain.

"Aye Austin! Talk to me. You okay? Where are you?" I was kinda nervous now.

"You think I'm okay?" he said. "Damn it Jake!"

"Okay, just stay with me. I'm coming."

"Don't bother! I'd come myself." I groaned again as he tried to get up.

"Oh yeah? How?" why the hell was he such a jerk? "You think you can drive?"

He stayed quiet.

"I know we aint talkin' but just stay on with me... dad will kill me if something happens to you."

I drove fast but damn the point was so far! Austin stayed dead quiet on the other end. I could only hear him breathing hard. Was he hurt real badly?

The awkward silence was really awkward so I started humming a tune. 'In my head, I see you all over me.

In my head, you fulfill my fantasy, you'll be scr-'

"Shut up Paul!" Austin barked. "You can't sing..."

"You jealous? Mom say's I'm best at it..."

"She lied."

"You're so jealous!" I laughed.

"What ever dude!"

I chuckled. I know he still loved me but he was just mad at me. We were like best friend when we were young... but things change...

A few minutes later I was driving in a totally deserted place. I spotted Austin, sitting against the rock. I parked the car, facing the head lights at him and ran to him.

"Holy crap Austin! You look like shit!" his nose was like the blood bank and his cheek was bruised and his lower lip was cut open.

"Turn the damn lights off!" he shouted at me, covering his eyes with his hand.

I came and stood in front of him, blocking the light. "Where's your car?"

"Jake took it."

"Why?"

He looked at me with obvious expression.

"C'mon." I grabbed his arm, helping him up.

"Leave me! I can do it." I jerked his arm away.

"Fine!" I backed, folding my arms on the chest. He was groaning more than he was attempting to stand up. "I'll be in the car... just don't take the whole night." I walked and sat in the car.

Damn Austin was so stubborn! He can't even stand properly. I kept watching him.

"I think a little help would really help!" he said, clutching his arm.

I got out, grinning at him. "Admit it Austin, you need me." I swirled my arm around his shoulder, helping him in the car.

"Shut up!" he rolled his eyes.

I chuckled, buckling his seat belt.

"I can do this!" he shrugged me away.

"You sure lil bro?" I chuckled.

"What the heck Paul! Just take me home!" he pulled the door, closing at my face.

"You need to see the doctor." I settled myself in.

"Just do what I say. I don't need doctor. Just take me home." He closed his eyes, resting his head back.

I drove fast to the home. Austin sounded like he'd fallen asleep. I pulled the car in the driveway and got out, opening Austin's door. His eyes were closed and he breathed heavily. I slowly jerked him.

"Austin?"

"Huh." He sat up straight but than groaned with pain, leaning back again.

I helped him out, leading in.

"Paul, leave me. I can walk!"

"I'm not listening to you. I should've taken you to the hospital."

"I'm fine." He said slowly.

"Yeah! I can see that." I took him to the kitchen, helping him sit. I tossed a wet cloth on him and gave frozen packet of beef. "Clean up and put this on your empty head!"

"Uh, can you uh not... tell mom about this?" he asked.

"Like she wouldn't see..."

"What is going on?" I turned around, finding Andy's eyes huge staring at Austin.

ANDY:

I woke up finding myself in my room. Wasn't I with Paul? I don't remember getting back... I was wondering if Paul carried me here when I heard a car pulled up in the driveway.

Who could come at this time? Is it Austin? I slipped out of the bed and walked to the balcony, looking over and I saw red Porsche. Was Paul out too?

I walked out of the room, slowly stepping down. I could hear Austin and Paul talking in the kitchen.

"Clean up and put this on your empty head!" Paul was saying.

"Uh, can you uh not... tell mom about this?" Austin asked slowly.

Not tell what? I stepped in the kitchen. Paul was standing, his back at me. Austin was sitting, holding a frozen pack of beef to his head.

"Like she wouldn't see..." Paul answered turning around. He stopped as he saw me.

I shifted my sight to Austin. "What is going on?" I asked in a small voice but then I saw cloth in Austin's hand, red with blood. His nose was gushing out blood and his lip was bleeding too.

I couldn't move but just stare at him.

"Andy..." Austin let out a breath, standing.

"Keep sitting Austin." Paul ordered him, but his eyes were on me just like mine was on him.

"What happened to you? Why the hell are you bleeding?!" I didn't notice I was shouting with panic until Paul hopped to me, covering my mouth with his hand.

"Shh! Keep it down Andy!" he hissed to me. "It's okay." He backed. "Austin's fine."

"Yeah? Then why the hell does he look like beaten up shit!"

"That's 'cause he got his ass in a fight with Jake." Paul looked disgustingly at Austin.

"I didn't fight with Jake. He..." Austin trailed off, sitting back.

I walked to him and the more I got closer I flinched at every bruise I see.

"Am I looking that bad?" he crocked his eyebrow.

"Horrible!" I took the cloth from him, wiping the blood. He flinched when I touched the bruise on his cheek. "Sorry!" I murmured. "You went just to fight?"

"I didn't fight!" he hissed. "Jake called me up for the race and I lost it."

"And he beat the shit outa you?"

"And also took his car!" Paul said. I looked over at him. He had strange mix of emotions in his emerald eyes. "Anyways... what are you doing up now?" he asked me.

"It's almost 7. We got school."

"Shit! I gotta get ready for the practice." Austin snapped up.

"No way! You're not going. Look at yourself!"

"But-"

"I'll talk to the coach." Paul said. "Now get your ass in your room."

We both took him up to his room. I helped him change his clothes. His stomach was badly bruised. He was in a pretty bad condition. I stayed with him until he dozed off.

Few Days Later:

"God Damn it Austin! Answer the freakin' call!" I shouted at Austin who was sitting on his bed, holding the phone in his hand which ranged like a gazillion times in last 3 days.

"It's just Jake!"

"Well answer it then. Maybe he wants to apologize."

He crocked his eyebrow. "Apologize? Why would he do that? I'm the one who had to return his money!"

The phone got silent. We kept looking at it for a few minutes but it didn't ring back.

"I better go for the practice now. tomorrow is the big match." Austin jumped off the bed.

"No! You still need rest."

"I'm totally fine." He smiled, pulling on his jacket. Yeah he was way better than before just that he still had a bruise on his cheek and a red lower lip.

It kinda looked cute on him. It made his lips look more tempting.

"You know I can stay if you get in bed with me..." Austin said grinning at when he saw me drooling over him.

"Uh, no... you should go." I turned to hide my face because it was blushing. Austin closed in, wrapping his arm around me.

"But I'm staying..." he whispered in my ear, making me shiver. He removed my hair from the shoulder and brushed his lips lightly. It felt so good. He slowly moved upward, kissing under my ear.